Rotherham area brass bands came together last weekend to perform in an unusual and inspirational venue. “Let’s Play Brass”, bringing four brass bands to perform in Magna Science Adventure Centre’s Red Hall, was the latest activity from Rotherham Brass Collective, a network of local bands supported by Brass Bands England Liaison Officer, Rachel Veitch-Straw. Inspired [&hellip more...

A successful ten year period for both Darwen Brass and their Conductor Steve Hartley, has come to an end following Steven’s resignation from the band. The New Year will see Steve leave the band after fulfilling the Christmas committments. Speaking to A4B, Steve said: ‘I would like to place on record my heartfelt thanks to [&hellip more...

Elland Silver Band are delighted to announce that they have received a grant from the Norman Jones fund to provide a FREE Training band workshop for young brass and percussion players. Samantha Harrison, Elland Youth Band Musical Director, told A4B: “Preparations are already well underway for a very special evening concert featuring the Cory Band [&hellip more...

In October 2016 Foden’s were successful in a application to the ‘Heritage Lottery Fund’ for a ‘Heritage and Digital Project’ that would see the digitisation of the bands historical artefacts, original 78’s recordings (outside of copyright) as well as original manuscripts. Speaking about the project, Mark Wilkinson told A4B: ‘Since the successful application was awarded, [&hellip more...

Around 40 young musicians of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band will be spending four days of their Christmas holidays, from 27th to 30th December, rehearsing and studying under the baton of their Guest Conductor Dr Stephen Cobb, Staff Bandmaster of the International Staff Band of The Salvation Army, with his son Philip, Principal Trumpet of [&hellip more...

WEBBA are pleased to announce the panel of adjudicators for the 2018 West of England Regional Championships are Brett Baker, Stan Lippeatt, Alan Morrison, David Roberts, Duncan Stubbs OBE and John Winterflood. The Championships will take place on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th March 2018 at the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay. To enable the [&hellip more...

Elland Silver Band are delighted to announce they have received a Ward Forum grant from Calderdale Council. The grant will be used to fund tuition, equipment and music for our new “HIT IT” beginner percussion class, led by professional percussionist, Lauren Rosborough. The class will be held every Thursday evening from 6 – 7pm at [&hellip more...

Pemberton Old Wigan Brass Band is looking for community support as they seek to raise funds towards the renovation of their new band room. They were chosen as one of the local causes for the Co-op Community Fund and now require the support of Co-op Members to achieve their fundraising goal. The Pemberton organisation currently [&hellip more...

It is with much sadness that the Elland Band report the passing of their band president and friend, Mrs Sylvia Graucob MBE. Sylvia passed away peacefully at her home in Jersey on Monday 6th November after a long and fulfilled life. Sylvia has been a loyal supporter of the band for some 25 years and [&hellip more...

The Annual GBBA Contest was held at the All Saints Academy in Cheltenham on Sunday 19th November. The chosen venue was in many respects, the perfect place to hold such a contest. A splendid hall, ample free parking, changing rooms, excellent refreshments and a warm up room for bands prior to taking the stage gave [&hellip more...

Slaithwaite Brass Band are pleased to announce Ryan Watkins as their new Musical Director. The appointment of Brighouse and Rastrick’s principal trombone player comes as the Slaithwaite Band announces that the recent partnership with MD Andrew Baker has come to an end. Ryan joins Slaithwaite after a successful two year partnership with Trinity Girls Band. [&hellip more...

The Blaenavon Town Band are extremely proud to announce the appointment of our new Musical Director, Mr David Langley. David has played with the band since the age of 7. Starting his playing career with them on cornet under the guidance on Evan Smith. Having reached the senior band David developed as a musician moving [&hellip more...

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Lancaster University Brass Band, current and former members of the band joined together for a special concert. The band was formed by Mike Golding and Bek Chrimes as a 10 piece and in 2007, the University of Lancaster Music Society (ULMS) officially recognised it as a Major Ensemble. [&hellip more...

Thoughts of summer days, though well ahead, are always welcome, so the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival is pleased to announce during these darker days of autumn the Test Pieces chosen for next summer’s Festival on June 16th. Chosen as always to challenge the bands with attractive music, thought is also given to ensure a [&hellip more...

Woodhouse Prize Band and Chapeltown Band have announced further details regarding the upcoming funeral of the well loved brass band player and photographer, David Morris. A spokesperson on behalf of both bands told A4B: ‘Both Woodhouse and Chapeltown Bands have been overwhelmed by the support and messages received since the death of David was announced, [&hellip more...

Huddersfield Town’s very own Brass Group, “Terrier Brass” are to perform at the upcoming England Internationals at Wembley Stadium as members of the official England Band. 6 members of the group will be joining the England Band at the friendlies against England on Friday 10th November and Tuesday 14th November. The England Band have been [&hellip more...

A new partnership to attract young people to brass has been announced between Brass Bands England (BBE) and Warwick Music Group (WMG). The partnership will include a new nation-wide competition to engage youngsters and beginners. The significant new initiative between BBE, the leading membership and development organisation for brass bands in England, and WMG, the [&hellip more...

The inaugural Fringe of Gold music festival is being presented across a number of leading venues in St Andrews from 9 -11 November 2017, bringing with it a diverse variety of events and performers. The festival has been programmed with an international theme to its musical content and welcomes over 180 performers, including renowned groups [&hellip more...

Joshua Hughes has recently been appointed the new MD of the Lostock Hall Memorial Band. A spokesperson for the band told A4B: ‘During the audition process, Josh came to the fore with his enthusiasm to bring a fresh approach to the band. He also showed his eagerness to be involved with and lead the organisation’s [&hellip more...

The Blidworth Welfare Band are very pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Oates as their new Musical Director. Simon has achieved great successes as a Soprano cornet player with Foss Dyke, Thoresby Colliery and Jaguar Land Rover Bands. He has also previously conducted Foss Dyke Band, leading them to 2nd place at the ‘Area’ [&hellip more...

On 1st November, Foden’s performed at Keele University in a project involving ‘Arts Keele’ and ‘Keele University Astrophysics’ The concert saw Foden’s perform the entire ‘Planets’ suite by Holst alongside the Keele Singers, Celeste and two harpists to a capacity audience. Prior to each movement Dr John Taylor (Keele Astrophysics) gave an in depth analysis [&hellip more...

Celebrations were in order for the Jedforest Instrumental Band after it triumphed at the 2017 Borders Entertainment Contest which was held in Jedburgh. Musical Director Phil Rosier guided the Borders band to victory on Saturday 4th November after impressing adjudicators Raymond Tennant and Les Neish. Jedforest’s programme found favour with both judges, receiving a unanimous [&hellip more...

The Brass Band Music Shop are happy to announce they have added new suppliers to their already vast stockpile of brass band music. Already one of the biggest suppliers of Brass Band music to hundreds of bands across the world, Larch Music and the publisher of accomplished composer, Andrew Baker, Morthanveld Publishing are just two [&hellip more...

The funeral service for the highly respected Musical Director of Woodhouse Prize Silver Band, cornet player with Chapeltown Silver Band and Photographer/Graphic Designer for Bolsover Festival of Brass and Bolsover International Brass Band Summer School and Wychavon Festival of Brass will be held on Monday 20th November at 1pm at City Road Crematorium, Sheffield. All [&hellip more...

Middleton Band are delighted to announce that Kevin Gibbs has taken over the reins as Musical Director. Kevin is no stranger to the band, having with us earlier in the year to prepare us for the Area contest. He recently agreed to help us out again, this time taking us to Rochdale Contes However, to [&hellip more...

The Yorkshire Imperial Urquart Travel Band are delighted to announce new signings as they continue to build solid foundations for the future. Kate Johnson and Adam Hofland Ward join on Repiano and Solo Cornet respectively, with Andi Cook completing the Bass line-up. Kate started her playing career on flugel horn at the age of 7. [&hellip more...

The BrassFestUK project for 2018 has been launched and the addition of a Composition Contest has proved to be a popular add-on to the hugely successful 2017 event. The event will take place over the weekend of the 6th, 7th and 8th July and the Anthem for BrassFestUK 2018 will come from the winner of [&hellip more...

Sunday 29th of October saw Foden’s Band welcome over 100 entries from all over the world, to their 7th solo, duet & quartet competition. Once again the adjudicators had the difficult task of placing the competitors and providing them with constructive written feedback: Prof. John Wallace CBE, Dewi Griffiths & Brian Kingsley were this year’s [&hellip more...

The British Open is pleased to announce the Test Pieces for next year’s Spring Brass Band Festival to be held at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool on Saturday 12th May . The Test Piece for The Grand Shield will be Professor Peter Graham’s’ ‘The Triumph of Time‘ with Frank Wright’s arrangement of George Bailey’s ‘Diadem of [&hellip more...

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death on Sunday 29th October 2017 of David Morris, the very well-known and popular musician who was so actively involved in the brass band scene in the Midlands and Yorkshire. Dave was Musical Director of the Woodhouse Prize Silver Band, cornet player with Chapeltown Silver [&hellip more...

An incredibly successful October sees Lewis-Merthyr win both the 2017 WWBBA First Section Championships and record for national television with the world renowned bass baritone Sir Bryn Terfel. October has proved an incredibly successful month for Rhondda’s Lewis-Merthyr Band seeing the band win both the 2017 WWBBA First Section Championships and record for national television [&hellip more...

The organisers of the 2018 Brass at the Guild which will take place on Sunday 28th January are delighted to announce the adjudication panel who will oversee the five sections. Paul Andrews, John Doyle, Chris King, Helen Varley and Thomas Wyss will make the all important decisions. Bands are reminded that entries are now welcome [&hellip more...

Pennine Music and the Brass Band Music Shop will be on the road for the next month as they head off around the UK to the various contests taking place. Last weekend saw them visiting the Wychavon and Rochdale Contest, whilst this weekend, it’s the turn of the SWBBA Contest in Torquay and the YHBBA [&hellip more...

An incredibly successful October sees Lewis-Merthyr win both the 2017 WWBBA First Section Championships and record for national television with the world renowned bass baritone Sir Bryn Terfel. October has proved an incredibly successful month for Rhondda’s Lewis-Merthyr Band seeing the band win both the 2017 WWBBA First Section Championships and record for national television [&hellip more...

The Yeovil Town Band have announced that following a relocation of their rehearsal room, they are now to be known as Glastonbury Brass. In a statement issued via their new social media account, they state:- ‘The Band formerly known as Yeovil Town Band has moved from its geographic location of Yeovil in Somerset to Glastonbury in Somerset. [&hellip more...

Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band, a new not-for-profit community band, will perform in public for the first time at Wimbledon Park Fireworks night on Saturday 4 November. It may be unusual for a brass band to start its life in 2017, especially in London, but Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band hope to start with a [&hellip more...

Following a number of sold out concert appearances Foden’s have announced that they will undertake a Christmas tour entitled ‘Memories of Christmas’ with one of the country’s leading vocalists, Matthew Ford. An award winning vocalist, Matthew is widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, building an enviable wealth of experience performing [&hellip more...

Elland Silver Youth Band are delighted to announce they have been awarded a grant of £2000 from the Community Foundation for Calderdale. The grant has been funded through the Kathleen Mary Denham Legacy to contribute towards the costs of financing the youth bands trip to the European Youth Band Championships in Utrecht, Netherlands next May. [&hellip more...

The 31st Annual Brass Band contest organised by the Pogson Bray Trust committee took place last Sunday 15th October, at Berties at La Cachette, Elland. 11 bands performed an Entertainment Programme (which had to include a March) for adjudicator David Ashworth. Results:- 1. East Riding of Yorkshire (Garry Hallas) 2. Kippax (Ian Knapton) 3. Clifton and [&hellip more...

As momentum gathers for UniBrass 2018, the committee are excited to announce further details for the 2018 event, including details for the Gala Concert and information for registering bands. In the last few years, the Gala Concert has become a key part of the UniBrass atmosphere, with the intention of bringing a top brass band [&hellip more...

The Grimethorpe Colliery Band took to the stage for their Centenary Celebration concert at the Elsecar Heritage Centre, Barnsley on Saturday 21st October, conducted by Frank Renton What an absolute privilege it was to be present at this wonderful concert performed by the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band conducted by Frank Renton. Frank is both [&hellip more...